Inclined Planes, Wedges, and Screws

Inclined Plane

A ramp.

Screw

A simple machine that consists of a inclined plane wrapped around a cylinder.

Wedge

A simple machine that is made up of two inclined planes and that moves.

Inclined Plane

A simple machine that is straight, slanted surface, which facilitates the raising or lowering of loads.

Screw

Apply a large force through the short distance it is pushed.

Mechanical Advantage for Wedges

Length of wedge/greatest thickness

Wedge

Often used for cutting.

Wedge

Output force is greater than input force.

Inclined Plane

Requires a smaller input force to do the same amount of work.

Mechanical Advantage of Inclined Planes

The greater the ratio length to it's height, the greater the MA.

Screw

The longer the spiral on the and the closer the threads, the greater the MA.

Screw

When a is turned, a small force is applied over a long distance along the inclined plane of a .

MA of Inclined Planes

length of plane/height lifted